Analysis of Conservative Opposition to Obama and Congressional Democrats

Although Barak Obama, whose Democratic party enjoys large majorities in both chambers of Congress, has achieved most of what he has wanted to so far, Republicans and other conservatives have been successful in blocking some of his and the Democratic majority's proposals. With such small minorities, successful loyal opposition is characterized more by preventing the majority from accomplishing planks from its platform than from advancing any causes of its own.

Obama only compromised on his so-called stimulus to the degree necessary to gain the votes of three Republican Senators. He gave up a few billion dollars in spending and allowed a fix for the Alternative Minimum tax so it would not hit middle class taxpayers, out of his massive $787 billion measure. Congressional Democrats had to give up plans to fund the distribution of artificial birth control and Obama's "Buy America" trade provisions, which would have sparked a larger trade war with allies than the separate one he sparked with Mexico. However, on other bills, Obama has not bothered even to try to attract any Republican votes. As was even the case on the stimulus bill despite the three Republican votes, Obama has inspired more Democratic opposition to his radical proposals than GOP support.

Veterans groups were successful in thwarting an Obama proposal to force disabled veterans to seek reimbursement from private insurers for medical care, which would have increased led to increased costs to the veterans.

Finally, congressional Republicans successfully have blocked Obama's proposed political payback for labor unions that would have ended secret ballots in elections to decide whether to organize a union at a particular company.

There are other measures that have attracted opposition or amendment from conservatives, but have not completed the legislative process. For now, conservatives can take some heart in being able to oppose successfully some of the more radical policies being advanced by liberal politicians in control of the federal government.